Solar- How does it Work

The sun has produced energy for billions of years and is the ultimate source for all of the energy sources and fuels that we use today. People have used the sun’s rays (solar radiation) for thousands of years for warmth and to dry meat, fruit, and grains. Over time, people developed devices (technologies) to collect solar energy for heat and to convert it into electricity.

…The question many people have is: How exactly do those panels work? Unlike power from a wind turbine or even a power plant, solar panels don’t seem to have any moving parts — so how exactly is that energy being produced?… Engage the animated graphic>>saveonenergy.com

You’ve probably seen calculators with solar cells — devices that never need batteries and in some cases, don’t even have an off button. As long as there’s enough light, they seem to work forever. You may also have seen larger solar panels, perhaps on emergency road signs, call boxes, buoys and even in parking lots to power the lights.

Although these larger panels aren’t as common as solar-powered calculators, they’re out there and not that hard to spot if you know where to look. In fact, photovoltaics…Learn more>>science.howstuffworks.com

How Solar Panels WorkIn a single hour, the sun bathes Earth with enough solar energy to meet the world’s power needs for an entire year. Not only is sunlight the most abundant energy source available, it’s also the cleanest. So how can we turn this endless supply of sunbeams into useful electricity? The answer lies in the photovoltaic (PV) effect – the phenomenon of converting solar energy into electrical current. Solar cell (also known as PV cell) development has come a long way, and with the increasing demand for clean energy, the future is looking bright for this renewable energy source….Read more>>letsgosolar.com